5 years at The Waverley

With the close of this year's Goth Weekend we have reached the end of another season, it's hard to believe that it is our 5th. The photo has been hijacked from our regular guest Joz's Facebook page. (Joz writes horror books, click here for his site)

The speculation and rumour about the Goth Weekend dates appears to be resolved with a move to November, see The Gazette for more details.
The original Goth Weekend is promoted by Jo Hampshire's site TopMum and the traditional date of the last weekend in October will now see the Bram Stoker film festival which has been held mid October for the last 2 years. Some Goth fringe events promoted by Dark Daisy, run by Jo Hampshire's ex husband Sam Hoyle, will be held alongside the film festival.

This is all a little confusing but I think that sums it up.

Thank You to our guests for our new Trip Advisor Award

When we opened the post this morning we were very surprised to receive a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, this is despite that we are slipping down the rankings. Some people will remember that we were ranked as No 1 on the hotel side of the Trip Advisor site, but when we received the Trip Advisor Traveller's Choice award earlier this year it was realised that we are a guest house and not a hotel, consequently we were moved onto the B&B side of the site. There is a great deal more competition on that side and as the ranking is based on quantity as well as quality of reviews we could not hope to be in the higher rankings as we have fewer letting rooms than some, coupled to only being open for about 9 months of the year and having many regular guests as well as plenty who do not have access to computers. There is also a weighting on Trip Advisor towards the more recent reviews.

Unlike most places we do not solicit reviews from our guests, nor do we offer any inducement to get them to do so, but we are always very grateful when someone takes the time and effort to put a comment on the review site. If you would like to see our reviews click here. Thank you to all of our guests.

Watch out for the Christmas Tree

When you are coming to Whitby on the A169 over the moors from Pickering look out for the Christmas Tree around a mile, or maybe a bit more, after RAF Fylingdales. We first noticed the tree about this time last year when there was only one bauble. Over the next few weeks a couple more appeared and at Chrismas last year there were no more than half a dozen. Since then it seems that every time we pass there is another ornament, some tinsel and now the top is adorned by a star. Technically people are probably littering, but seeing the tree develop makes us smile each time we pass on our weekly trips to visit family.

Whether you are coming to stay at The Waverley, somewhere else or just on a day trip, look out for the tree on the left hand side after passing the early warning station and hopefully it will make you smile too.

50 Pints and Still Counting

Proud day today as Julie has given her 50th pint of blood. Unfortunately I (Stephen) can't give bood any more but Julie has more than made up for that. It is a common misconception that if you have a common type of blood that there is no need to donate, whereas more of the blood is needed simply because it is more common. Everyone who can give blood should do so because there are very few people who would refuse to take blood except on religious grounds. Follow this link to find out more http://www.blood.co.uk/

Julie is proudly wearing her new badge whilst sporting the bandage where the blood was taken.

Fancy New Year in Whitby?

Esk Valley Theatre, Glaisdale

We have lived in Whitby for approaching 5 years and each year have promised ourselves that we would go to Esk Valley Theatre (EVT) but have never got around to it. This year we have been twice.

On Tuesday last week 8 of us went to see a Pocket Panto production of Dick Whittington - There were 4 generations of our family there ranging in age from 4 to 90 and one person from each generation really didn't like the idea of a panto. How wrong we were, every one of us had a great time watching the three performers enact the tale of Dick on his London adventure and we all laughed throughout the performance.

In contrast to this just the 2 of us went to see Second from last in the Sack Race on Monday night (instead of watching the Regatta fireworks in the rain!) and once again had a fabulous night. EVT is only a theatre for one month a year but the productions of both programmes were excellent. We will be back next year.

Regatta

Once again the Regatta and Whitby Folk Week have coincided, but looking at the Regatta website we are pleased to see that common sense now prevails as there should be no further conflict for the next 5 years at least. We wish both events every success going forward.

This year's Regatta was what we have come to expect with the usual attractions, rides and Monday fair but it is a shame that it cannot revert more to what it was 40 years ago and be less of a commercial enterprise. We were sorry that the Monday was somewhat of a washout and unfortunately the Red Arrows were unable to make an appearance because of the weather, let's hope that next year the sun will shine for the three days. The Carousel pictured here was a new attraction which seemed to draw plenty of attention. Because of the weather we did not venture out on Regatta Monday until the evening when we went to Glaisdale, but more of that in the next blog.

Proud Parents watch Jessica Jump

Jessica 15 seconds from landing

After 3 aborted attempts, due to inclement weather, Jessica has finally done her skydive to raise funds for Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign and has apparently become one of the 0.03% of the world's population to have jumped from an airoplane. Even though I (Stephen) would have liked to do this when I was younger, Jessica took up the gauntlet and effectively did it on behalf of her old man as well as LBCC because I'm not sure that I have the bottle any longer!! Sad but true.

In total she raised going on for £500 but, more importantly, awareness of bowel cancer has been raised. We finished the rooms in time to be able to go to see her jump and very proud parents we both are too.

If you would like to see more photos you can see  them with this link skydive album and if you would like to see about the charity please click here.

Mulgrave Woods

For the first time since we came to Whitby we had both the time and the inclination to discover Mulgrave Woods. We did, however, make the mistake of following (or more appropriately try to follow) the walk in the pocket guide "Walks around Whitby" by Nick Channer which is as clear as the mud we were walking in at times. Having said that we have had a lovely afternoon and we will certainly return with a better guide or map. Within a hundred yards of the entrance to the estate there wasn't a soul to be seen, and all afternoon we only encountered 5 other people. Most people obviously respect the countryside as the whole walk was litter free, except for a few cigarette ends around a seat in the clearing. We will never understand why some smokers seem to think that tab ends are not litter! If you would like to see a few more photos click here.

A hundred years old - She's entitled to break down now and again

We have lived here for going on 5 years and this is the longest breakdown of the bridge we can recall, but as a man said while I was taking these photos "A hundred years old - She's entitled to break down now and again". Nobody is sure how long the repairs are likely to take but there are rumours that a part is being awaited from abroad. Meanwhile the local ferrymen are doing a roaring trade in shipping people across the Esk at £1 a trip. Alternatively there is a free shuttle bus running every 15 minutes from 6:00am until midnight each day until the problem is resolved. It has certainly made a difference in town though as many more people than usual can be seen on the west side. Follow the link in the Whitby Gazette or the Whitby Swing Bridge site for the updated position. (Incidentally you can now share our blogs by clicking the links below each)

World champions again

Bill Cockerill can be seen on the left presenting the World Doubles Quoits trophy to Paul Welford (centre) and Paul Mendelsohn at the annual event held in Beamish last weekend. Paul Mendelsohn has been the recipient of this trophy on several occasions over the last few years although normally partnered by his brother Mike. Mike couldn't make it this year so Paul Welford stepped into the breach to help claim success for Whitby yet again.

Paul Mendelsohn lives opposite us at The Waverley and delivers our milk daily. Unfortunately he was knocked out of the singles and finished in 3rd place.

Mother and baby - That time of year again

We have now lived in Whitby for going on 5 years and don't really hear the gulls most of the time. For the last 3 years parent gulls have been bringing their offspring onto our kitchen roof to learn how to fly, often leaving them all day. The youngsters' cry sounds like a cross between a cat and a child, but as already said we don't hear it unless we are specifically listening for them. Fortunately they are collected by the parent at the end of the day and so are not left crying overnight. We don't really understand how the young birds get onto the roof as when they are alone they will not fly, maybe it is just a confidence thing that they only fly when mum is close by.

The Cinder Track

When walking down to Whitby Community College this afternoon we noticed new "old" sineage on the bridge under the railway leading to Stakesby Vale. Cinder Track refers to the old Whitby Scarborough line which apparently was unusually laid on a cinder track. The route of the old railway, which was closed in 1965, is now used as a public footpath, cycle path and bridleway. If you are feeling energetic you can walk the 21 miles to Scarborough or you could stop off at many places along the route. We often walk to the Larpool viaduct and then down into Ruswarp and back along the footpath to Whitby. Here are a couple of links that may be of interest.

The Cinder Track Walk - Scarborough to Whitby & Cinder Track Improvement Team

WHITBY is the TOP YORKSHIRE RESORT

WHITBY has come third in the top all time favourite UK seaside resorts in an independent survey of more than 4,000 people by consumer magazine Which? In the survey WHITBY is the TOP YORKSHIRE RESORT

Blackpool came first in the survey with Brighton close behind, we've never been to Brighton so can't comment but we are glad that Whitby doesn't resemble Blackpool except that it is in the north and has sea and sand! More importantly Whitby is ahead of Scarborough which was voted fifth favourite.

In 2006 Whitby was voted Britain's best seaside resort in a poll of seaside destinations by Holiday Which?. See the report in Whitby Gazette

I (Stephen) was interviewed on Radio Tees today and you can hear the broadcast by clicking on the link and fast forwarding to around 2.21 into the programme.

Pannett Park

We wandered through Pannett Park this weekend for the first time since the official reopening earlier this month and very pleased we were. It was a beautiful day and we sat in glorious sunshine, reading by the pond. There is a fabulous playground which our grandchildren make use of when they visit. The park gardens, museum and tearoom are well worth a visit if you come to Whitby.

You can read about the official reopening in The Gazette.

Recycling plant tour

We've had nothing to say for a while that would have been of interest, but today we really had our eyes opened and learnt a bit about how the recycling plant at Seamer Carr works. On first arrival we thought that the site looked disorganised, but we quickly learnt that they work within the constraints of a very tight budget based on around 5% of the council tax we each pay. They are also working within the physical constraints of the site which is adjacent to the landfill site. Starting with the landfill there is a generation plant burning the methane generated by the site and feeding sufficient electricity into the national grid  to power around 7000 homes. The processes, which are in the main automated, succesfully separate paper, cardboard, PET plastics, aerosols, aluminum and steel cans into separate areas for collection and forwarding to various companies who use the materials. The site is also a collection point for the recycled glass, although no sorting is done at Seamer Carr. We had thought that the change from separate collection of various coloured glass and clear glass to all  going into the same collections was a retrogade step, but now we know better. When the glass was separated at the point of collection there was an inevitable problem of incorrect glass being put into the bottle bank and this would then need sorting manually. Now the glass is forwarded to a plant for use and the process is now automated with sophisticated cameras aiding the sorting into the various colours.

We found the visit to be really interesting and worthwhile. If you are an SBC resident they conduct free tours periodically, see the link above for details, or maybe your own council offer similar tours if you are not from the borough. I took various pictures of rubbish, but thought that the best to use was the start of the process and the end.

An Oasis of calm in the city - RSPB Saltholme

Yesterday we went out for the day to the RSPB reserve at Saltholme, Middlesboorough. The setting seems a little incongruous with backdrops of petro chemical tanks and burning off of fumes, scrap yards and cityscapes but all you hear is the sound of the birds. We decided to go via the Seaton Carew Road from Middlesborough which meant going across the famous transporter bridge which dominates the city's skyline. This is something that Julie had never done and I last did more years ago than I care to remember but at least 40. We didn't get many photos of the birds because they were too quick for me and my camera but it is a good day out for the princely sum of £3 to park the car. The cafe area offers very good coffee and reasonably priced meals and snacks. We were also pleased at the GTBS gold accreditation, something we have in common with the reserve, and the witty information signs around the place gave rise to a few smiles. Staff were all very friendly and helpful, particularly Helen Kipling who also has her hand in another pie as she designs and makes handmade quilts and has some good ideas about memory quilts, click here to see her blog. If you would like to see some other photos of the day in Saltholme click here and you will get an idea of the juxtaposition of the city with the site.

Whitby Goth Weekend April 2010

We are sometimes asked "What is a Goth", a question we hardly feel qualified to answer. That is until this year as we have now received copies of the WGW Almanack in which Mark Smith, editor of Unscene, has given a potted history of the Goth movement together with his definition. In short it appears that it is different things to different people but in the main has grown out of Punk of the 80s. Nowadays the clothes are a big part of the scene for some, as can be seen here with David and Sue from Hertfordshire. Although there are still people who find themselves intimidated by some of the Goths we have to say that we find them to be a harmless and friendly bunch and we regularly see our first "Goth" guest Joz who calls in to see us whenever he is in Whitby, even just for the day. We will never forget his comment on the booking site, "Arrived as a guest, left as a friend". Others of our regular guests come each year as "Goth watchers" - not really to take part but simply to see the spectacle.

40s Weekend

Paddy, one of our guests, enjoying himself at the 40s weekend. Each year the event gets slightly larger and a bit better than the previous one, althogh there is still a long way to go to be on a par with Pickering's "War Weekend" each October. Ideally the Whitby event could be a bit better supported and attract a few more participants but we hope that it never becomes as big as the Pickering event. Well done to those organising things and congratulations to Dolly's Deli for scooping the best dressed window accolade.

Updated Website

Our Website

We have just updated our website and would be delighted to hear what you think. There are one or two tweaks that have been suggested but we will wait a week or so before changing anything so that we can consider any other comments. We liked the clean green and white of the last site but didn't like that it was a bit "left heavy", i.e. there was a lot of white space down the right. if you have any comments please email us.

Fancy some Tapas in Malton?

http://www.ambiente-tapas.co.uk/

On our way home from Charlie our grandson's 4th birthday party we were debating what to do for dinner. As we weren't going to be home before 7:00 p.m. we thought that we would drop off into Malton to try out the Tapas bar that we had seen previously, we're glad that we did. On Tuesday evenings they have an all you can eat buffet for the princely sum of £9.95 and we tried a little of everything on offer, more than 20 separate items. Although it is designated a tapas bar the food is Mediterranean rather than purely Spanish.

We will certainly call again when we journey back from visiting family, particularly on a Tuesday when we can have such variety at a good price.

2010 Scooter Rally

Easter weekend resounded to the sound of hundreds of scooters in every shape and size. This one belongs to Bob, one of our guests, and very authentically reproduces the image of the scooters that I remember from the 60s and 70s. The difference is that in the 60s and 70s the riders of the scooters would wreak havoc wherever they went but now the majority are ridden by middle aged men who can afford the many thousands needed to buy an original Lambretta SX200 such as Bob's. The style is there but thankfully the violence originally associated with the riders is now a thing of the past.

Read Whitby Gazette's article on the rally.

Apologies to all for email delays - Broadband Down

We were off on Monday and Tuesday celebrating our wedding anniversary and so hadn't been able to respond to emails. When I sat down at the computer on Wednesday morning to send my mails our internet went down because of a flood and fire in Paddington. Initially the downtime was expected to be much longer but fortunately we werre back online in a little over 24 hours.To read a bit more about the problem see this link. Paddington Flood. We use Pipex (now a part of Tiscali).

Our Daughter is doing a skydive for Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign

Jessica has volunteered to do a skydive on 8th May in aid of Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign

Earth Hour 2010

Why not join us once again in supporting Earth Hour 2010 on Saturday 27 March 2010 from 20:30

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Farewell to the Turk

Farewell to the Turk

This image of the Grand Turk returning to its home port of Whitby is unlikely to be seen again as the ship has been sold to French company Etoile Marine based in St Malo. She sailed from Whitby at 4:00 am today leaving a gap down at the harbour side, many are sorry to see her go as she has been berthed her for the last 7 years. For more information read the article in today's Yorkshire Post

Great effort by Rochdale Golf Club Ladies

Yesterday we went to Rochdale to collect a magnificent cheque of £4000 from Rochdale Golf Club for Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign. The Ladies originally had a target of £1000 for the charity selected by Jan Cavanah as the outgoing captain.

Jan chose the charity as her daughter Jeni has now survived 5 years since her original diagnosis and treatment after having a routine check up because of a family history of bowel cancer.

Photo from left to right.

Liz Barker Secretary
Judith Hoyle Vice Captain (New Captain)
Edna Babbs Lady President
Jan Cavanah Captain and Jeni's mum
Stephen
Julie

Jeni Clapper 5 year survivor

For more information about bowel cancer visit www.bowelcancer.tv

Number 13 in Trip Advisor top 25

We are delighted that we have been listed in Trip Advisor's awards as number 13 in the UK based on our guest reviews. There has also been an article in the Yorkshire Post in which we get a mention as well as being interviewed on BBC Radio Tees. If you would like to listen it will be on Listen Again for the next week, drag the slider to 2:48:00.

Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to leave a review.

Winter News

Before we went on holiday we were nominated for the sustainable award in the Yorkshire Moors & Coast Tourism Awards. Unfortunately we lost out to The Crown Spa in Scarborough, nontheless we are happy that we were one of the finalists. We didn't realise at the time that we were in line for another award from Whitby Hospitality Association, and we are delighted to have received our certificate today.